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Report exposes 'Corporate America's Trojan Horse in the states'

(02/28/2002) - WASHINGTON -- Major corporations are
operating behind-the-scenes in state capitals across the country through a
purported "good government" group that pushes an industry-friendly agenda,
according to a report to be released by Defenders of Wildlife and the Natural
Resources Defense Council. In addition to financing gifts and free trips for
elected officials, the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) acts as a
conduit for special-interest legislation from corporations to key state
legislators on issues that range from rolling back environmental and consumer
protections to privatizing government services such as prisons and
schools.

"Influence peddling to shape government laws to
suit corporate special interests is not just a Washington phenomenon," Defenders
of Wildlife President Rodger Schlickeisen said. "It is just as aggressive if not
as visible in the states. It's time to shine the public spotlight on state
influence peddling, beginning with the American Legislative Exchange Council.
ALEC has a carefully cultivated 'good government' image, but the masters it
serves are its corporate sponsors and funders, not the nation's hard-working but
vulnerable state legislators."

The report – titled "Corporate America’s Trojan
Horse in the States: The Untold Story Behind the American Legislative Exchange
Council" – is available on the Internet at www.alecwatch.org. It is based on
thousands of pages of primary financial documents and other source material,
including tax returns filed by ALEC and its major
underwriters.

"While the Congressional debate over campaign
finance reform has focused the nation’s attention on corporate influence over
politics at the federal level, ALEC provides a chilling example of even more
brazen manipulation involving state legislatures," said Gregory Wetstone, NRDC’s
director of advocacy. "ALEC is the ultimate ‘Trojan Horse’ for industry forces
seeking to bend state laws to maximize corporate profits, often at the expense
of citizens and the environment."

The report has been endorsed by public-interest
organizations that include the Center for Policy Alternatives, U.S. Public
Interest Research Group, the League of Conservation Voters, and Public
Citizen.

"ALEC allows these corporations to do what they
couldn’t attempt to do directly or openly without risking public criticism. They
funnel cash through ALEC to curry favor with state lawmakers through junkets and
other largesse in the hopes of enacting special-interest legislation – all the
while keeping safely outside the public eye," according to the
report.

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Defenders of Wildlife is a leading nonprofit
environmental advocacy organization with more than 500,000 members and
supporters, especially recognized as one of the nation’s most progressive
advocates for endangered wildlife, its habitat and biodiversity. Defenders uses
education, litigation, research and innovation to advance its mission over the
opposition of special interests. Visit our Web site at www.defenders.org.

The Natural Resources Defense Council is a
national, non-profit organization of scientists, lawyers and environmental
specialists dedicated to protecting public health and the environment. Founded
in 1970, NRDC has more than 500,000 members nationwide. Learn more about NRDC by
visiting our Web site at: www.nrdc.org.